Tig
Tig: A focused terminal interface for browsing Git history, diffs, references, and selected staging. Ranked #50 of 61 in Version Control Software by our editors (3.6/10); pricing: Free plan; best for terminal-based Git history inspection.
At a glance
- Editor score3.6 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTerminal-based Git history inspection
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Versioning modelDistributed
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Detailed history, diff, blame, branch, tag, and stash browsing
- Chunk-level and line-level staging from the terminal
- Free, open source, and available on Linux, macOS, and Windows
Where it doesn't
- Requires the underlying Git executable
- Focused on Git rather than multiple version-control systems
- Primarily suited to inspection and staging workflows
Our verdict on Tig
tig is a terminal-based, ncurses interface for Git repositories. It is intended for developers who prefer repository browsing and selected staging workflows from a text interface rather than a graphical client. Its views cover commit history, working-tree and commit diffs, repository trees, file contents, blame annotations, branches, remotes, tags, stashes, repository status, and pattern searches across files. Tig also works as a pager for Git command output, keeping related inspection tasks within the terminal.
Its strongest area is Git history inspection. Users can move through commits and diffs, browse repository references, inspect file-level content, and review blame information with commit annotations. The staging workflow extends beyond whole-file changes: Tig supports staging and unstaging, including individual diff chunks and lines. That combination makes it a practical fit for developers who want a focused interface for understanding changes and selecting parts of a working tree before committing. The published product details list Git as its integration and describe Tig as an interface that relies on the underlying Git executable.
Tig is free and open source, with desktop support for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its distributed versioning classification follows Git, while Tig itself remains an interface rather than an independent version-control engine. The narrow ecosystem fit is a strength for Git users who want terminal-first workflows, but it also defines the product’s limits: the verified scope centers on browsing, search, diff review, status, staging, and stash inspection. Choose Tig if Git history and selective staging are central to your work and you prefer text interfaces. Choose another tool if you need a broader version-control client or a workflow centered outside Git.
Your product? Our editors can test Tig in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Tig pricing
Tig fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Versioning model | Distributed |
| Self-hosted deployment | Yes |
| Desktop platforms | Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Large-file handling | Not verified |
| File locking | Not verified |
| Sparse checkout | Not verified |
| Nested repositories | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 1 integrations: Git |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | jonas.github.io |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Tig integrations
Tig lists 1 integrations on its own site.
- Git
Alternatives to Tig
- GitA broad, free distributed workflow for developers who need precise history control.9.4
- Perforce P4 (Helix Core)A strong choice for teams managing locked files, binaries, and large repositories.9.2
- UnityA broad game and application engine, but not a dedicated version-control system.9.0
Used Tig? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Tig for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Tig is listed in our Version Control Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/tig/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/tig.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update